What in the World Will I Write About?

To list all the places around you that can provide inspiration would be impossible. Carrying a small notebook around to write down ideas when you are away from home can be helpful. Be on the lookout for story ideas at work, school, places of worship, the park, restaurants, the hairdresser and anywhere else you go. Things as simple as paintings, sunsets, old buildings and street signs can spark your imagination. Maybe you have a strong opinion on a controversial issue, whether positive or negative, that can be transformed into a story idea.

When I have trouble coming up with a story idea, I go to the mall. I take my notebook and pen, and buy myself an ice cream. (Yes, Oreo ice cream does enhance creativity - try it.) Then I sit at one of the tables in the food court and "people watch." To do this, as people walk by, consider what their "stories" might be. Look at their appearances, clothing, purchases and companions. Try to imagine what their lives might be like. If one of them intrigues you, write down what you have observed about that person and what you imagine the rest of his or her life to be. Don't worry about form or editing, just jot down notes. Later, you can turn this into a workable character sketch. Once you have a strong character, he or she should be able to "drive" the story. The same process can be used anywhere there is a large number of people.

How Do I Know if my Idea is a Good One?

First of all, the idea must be interesting. Does it grab your attention? Do you want to know more about it? If your idea is not interesting to you, it probably won't be interesting to anyone else either. Currently, I am working on a novel, loosely based on a court case we handled in my office. The case is a rather convoluted child abuse case which spans more than a decade. The case was fascinating to me, and I believe it will be interesting to others as well.

Unfortunately, interesting is not enough. It must be interesting to a large number of people. Considering my novel again, the base idea came from my job in the District Attorney's office. While the ins and outs of my job are very interesting to me, I doubt they would

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